Helping my toddler transition into new home

[Sarah428]

My DD who is 22 months still sleeps in her crib and has made no attempt to get out of it. We are hoping to have baby #2 at some point next year and will be moving Ella into a toddler bed.

We're moving in a month and DH thinks we should set her new room up with the toddler bed. This would mean new house, new room, new sheets, new everything! His point is we won't have to change her room in less than a year but I'm worried about it being too much for her.

1st option - make all the changes at once and she'll "get over it"
2nd option - slowly make the changes to ease her into it but this will require twice the painting, twice the set-up, and in the end the complete change we could have gotten over with at 1 time.

Is there anything I should do to make the transition easier? Help! I'm losing sleep over this ;)

[TwinMom]

We moved when our girls just turned 3. They were still in their cribs and we battled with the same decision as you. We decided to keep them in their cribs and do the transition to a mattress on the floor later. It worked wonderfully! The transition was painless since they were in their own beds. I think if we had done the switch to the mattress, it would have made life more difficult.

Plus with the freedom of the bed vs crib, you could be dealing with her getting up out of her bed, potentially fighting naps, etc. I would recommend doing the extra work so all of you have an easier time with the transition. All those changes are a lot for a young child...

Good luck!

[Chefzhat]

I would set up her new room with all the changes - do it all at once.

But - I rip bandaids off fast too. So maybe I am not the one to ask.

[LaraW]

Sarah, you know, I think that kids can be remarkably resilient. I would probably set up a "big girl" room for her in the new house. You could always set up the crib in another room with her same sheets taht she is used to, and that would give her a safe place, and be able to transition into the new room if it became obvious she wasn't ready.

Does she have any kind of lovey? My DD has a stuffed puppy that she always sleeps with, and she has never had any kind of trouble falling or staying asleep when we have been staying at someone else's house. I bring along the stuffed animals that are normally in her bed, and her blanket. Who knows if she even notices though (except the puppy).

[sneezles]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
I would set up her new room with all the changes - do it all at once.

But - I rip bandaids off fast too. So maybe I am not the one to ask.


LOL! Spoken like a boys' mom!

[ChristyMarie]

Just a thought...since you have some time can you start talking to her about a "big girl bed" and get her all excited about it? Or, can you buy it now and set it up in her current room so she can check it out and get used to it?

[funniegrrl]

I think all the new stuff at the same time is the way to go. I agree that talking it up and getting her excited will make the transition workable. She'll take her attitude from you -- if you are anxious and apprehensive, she'll be. If you talk about how wonderful it's gonna be and play up the "wow you're a big girl now" angle, she'll take that as her cue. As with everything, it's all in how you sell it.

[Escher]

Tell her that you are moving without her, and then at the last minute agree to let her come along.

It's all a matter of perspective.

[Sarah428]

Thanks! I think we'll set up the toddler bed now in her room so she check it out. I'll also check the library for books that we can read to help with the transition. Anyone know of stories about moving and "big girl beds"?;)

[Sarah428]

Originally posted by Escher
Tell her that you are moving without her, and then at the last minute agree to let her come along.

It's all a matter of perspective.
I did that this morning! She didn't want to leave so I told her I was going to work w/o her...worked like a charm;)

[LaraW]

Originally posted by Sarah428

I did that this morning! She didn't want to leave so I told her I was going to work w/o her...worked like a charm;)

I tried that with Natalie when we were out on the driveway and were going to walk to the park. I was down on the sidewalk, and she was standing by the garage door. Know what she did? Just stood there, waved at me and said "bye-bye". :rolleyes: That one backfired on me :p